Information management apparatus defining a replay sequence of new image data added to groups of images

ABSTRACT

An album list file stores album information relating to album containing image data files, and an album list storing sequence information indicating a replay sequence of image data files at the time of replaying the image data files belonging to the album. Here, when an album containing a new image data file which has not been included in the album is designated, the sequence information is renewed so as to replay the new image data file first at the time of replaying image data files contained by the designated album.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of Japanese Applications No. 2004-128902filed on Apr. 23, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated by thisreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technique used for informationmanagement, and in particular to a technique for managing image data.

2. Description of the Related Art

Some of the recent digital cameras are equipped with so called albumfunction for categorizing taken images in accordance with the userpreference to manage the categorized image data in an album by storingthem respectively in separate files.

For displaying a catalog of albums (i.e., index display) retained by thedigital cameras equipped with such album function, there has been aconventional technique to select a specific image contained by eachalbum as the cover thereof and display the image of the cover (N.B. thisimage is called “cover image” hereinafter) selected for each album foran index display. The user of the digital camera can infer the contentof each album by the cover image as a clue by setting a selected imageas the cover image of each album.

Meanwhile, another known technique for managing image data is to manageimage data files by listing them. An example of this technique is foundin a Japanese patent laid-open application publication No. 2001-8149disclosing a technique to replay a representative image first whenreplaying an album by registering information identifying therepresentative image for the album at the head of control list.

Yet another technique of a kind is found in a Japanese patent laid-openapplication publication No. 11-224266 disclosing a technique to createautomatically a book type of electronic image document for handlingpredetermined ones from among the representative images as covers, inaddition to displaying a list of images selected by a required conditionfrom among index images extracted from a series of images (i.e., movingimage) as a series of representative images.

Generally speaking, a user naturally remembers the details in sceniccontents of recently taken images better than those of images taken longago. It is also natural that the user, even after finishing editingimages for registering the categorized images in the album, remembersthe scenic contents of images registered toward the end of theregistration work better than that registered in the beginning.

In the meantime, while some of digital cameras equipped with the albumfunction can add the title of the album to the cover image, the user mayhave a hard time recalling the content of the album by looking at thetitle of the cover image if the title is not well suited, in which casethe images registered toward the end of editing work of the album mayremain in the memory of user better than the entitled representativeimages in much more cases than not.

As such, it is desirable to make an image registered last in an album asthe cover image representing the album in consideration of theconnection between the memory of user and the album contents, becausethe images handled in any way toward the end of the work remain in thememory of user more clearly. In the conventional technique, however, thefunctions for registering a new image in the album and for selecting andsetting a cover image for the album have been independent of each other,forcing the user to endure a cumbersome operation in order to register anew image as the cover image for the album.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An information management apparatus as one aspect of the presentinvention comprises a storage unit for storing group informationrelating to a group which image data belongs to and replay sequenceinformation for indicating a replay sequence at the time of replayingimage data belonging to the group, a designation unit for designating agroup for new image data which does not belong to the group and aninformation renewal unit for adding or changing the group informationand the replay sequence information, wherein the information renewalunit rewrites the replay sequence information so as to replay the newimage data first from among the specified group when the designationunit designates a group for the new image data belonging to.

Meanwhile the above described information management apparatus may beconfigured to register the new image data as representative image of thedesignated group so as to be replayed first as the representative image.The above described information management apparatus may also beconfigured to store the group information and the replay sequenceinformation in the storage unit as a management file containing theaforementioned two kinds of information.

The above described information management apparatus may also furthercomprise a notification unit for notifying a renewed group when at leasteither the group information or there play sequence information isrenewed by a change or addition to the group.

Also in the aforementioned configuration, the notification unit mayinclude an index display part for displaying image data extractedsingularly from the each group by an index screen display asrepresentative images of respective groups so as to show an iconsuperimposed on the representative image of the renewed group formeaning a predetermined operation having been done thereto.

Meanwhile, the above described information management apparatus may alsobe configured to let the information renewal unit renew information atthe time of group information relating to image data being deleted fromthe group.

An information management method as another aspect of the presentinvention comprises the steps of having a memory memorize groupinformation relating to a group which image data belongs to and sequenceinformation for indicating a replay sequence of image data at the timeof replaying image data belonging to the group; obtaining a designationof group for new image data which does not belong to the group; andrenewing the group information and the sequence information so as toreplay the new image data first at the time of replaying image databelonging to a designated group when obtaining the designation for thenew image data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more apparent from the following detaileddescription when the accompanying drawings are referred to.

FIG. 1 describes a summary of embodiment of an album function;

FIG. 2A shows a hardware configuration of the camera shown by FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B shows a hardware configuration of the PC shown by FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing processing content of photographed imageobtainment processing;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart (part 1) showing processing content of albumoperation processing;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 2) showing processing content of albumoperation processing;

FIG. 6 exemplifies an album operation screen;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing processing content of cover imagecreation processing;

FIG. 8 exemplifies a cover image creation screen;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing processing content of title superimposeprocessing;

FIG. 10 exemplifies a title input screen;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a processing content of albumtransmission processing;

FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing processing content of album receivingprocessing;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing processing content of album replayprocessing;

FIG. 14A exemplifies a first screen of album operation functionselection screen;

FIG. 14B exemplifies a display of a list of album cover images;

FIG. 14C exemplifies a single frame display of album cover images;

FIG. 15A exemplifies a content of album list prior to an additionalregistration of image for an album;

FIG. 15B exemplifies a display of a catalog of album cover imagesdisplayed in accordance with the album list shown by FIG. 15A;

FIG. 15C exemplifies a content of album list after an additionalregistration of image for an album;

FIG. 15D exemplifies a display of a catalog of album cover imagesdisplayed in accordance with the album list shown by FIG. 15C;

FIG. 15E shows the relationship between an image data file in the albumlist shown by FIGS. 15A and 15C, and an album display image in thedisplay example shown by FIGS. 15B and 15D;

FIG. 15F exemplifies an icon indicating a change of “additionalregistration” having been done to an album list;

FIG. 15G exemplifies an icon indicating a change of “deletion” havingbeen done to an album list;

FIG. 15H exemplifies an icon indicating a change of “editing” havingbeen done to an album list;

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing processing content of album selectionprocessing;

FIG. 17A is a flow chart showing processing content of album listdisplay processing;

FIG. 17B is a flow chart showing processing content of album listdisplay processing;

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing processing content of image albumregistration processing;

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing processing content of object imagedetermination processing;

FIG. 20A exemplifies a storage state prior to deleting an image datafile;

FIG. 20B shows a way of deleting the file name of a photographed image“006” from the photographed list vis-à-vis the storage state shown byFIG. 20A;

FIG. 20C shows a way of deleting the file name of a photographed image“006” from the album list vis-à-vis the storage state shown by FIG. 20B;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing processing content of photographed imagedeletion processing;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing processing content of album imagedeletion processing;

FIG. 23A exemplifies a second screen of album operation functionselection screen;

FIG. 23B exemplifies a catalog display of images contained by an album;

FIG. 23C exemplifies a single frame display of images contained by analbum;

FIG. 23D exemplifies a screen for instructing a cancellation of deletionprocessing of image contained by an album; and

FIG. 23E exemplifies a screen for instructing a deletion processing ofimage contained by an album.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention whilereferring to the accompanying drawings.

First of all, let an outline of album function be described as anembodiment of the present invention while referring to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows the way a camera 10 and a PC 40 being connected by way of aUSB (Universal Serial Bus) 60, are mutually capable of handing outvarious kinds of data. The present embodiment makes it possible totransmit an image photographed by the camera 10 to the PC 40temporarily, create an album for the image by the PC 40 and transmit thecreated album back from the PC 40 to the camera 10. After theaforementioned processing, the user can enjoy looking at the album onlyby carrying the camera 10, if he does not have the PC 40 there and then.

Let further detail of FIG. 1 be described. The camera 10 as theinformation management apparatus embodying the present invention isequipped with a detachable memory card 11 which can store various kindsof data. The memory card 11 stores an image root folder 12 and an albumlist file 15 both of which are placed immediately under the rootdirectory thereof.

The image root folder 12 is the root folder for storing image datafiles. Images photographed by the camera 10 are stored in an imagestorage folder (i.e., “100 OLYMP” folder) 13 contained by the image rootfolder (i.e., “DCIM” folder) 12 as image data files 14-1, 14-2, . . . ,14-n and so on (to be represented by “14-n” hereinafter). Note here thatthe image root folder 12 stores not only images photographed by thecamera 10 but also image data files relating to the images registered inthe albums (i.e., contained in the groups called “albums”) without anyspecific categorization as described later. The file names of data filesrelating to images photographed by the camera 10 among the image datafiles 14-n will be added to a photograph list (i.e., “SHOT”) 16 shown inthe album list file 15 in order of photographing. Therefore, the camera10 picks up the image data files 14-n of the file names shown in thephotograph list 16 from the image root folder 12 to transfer to the PC40 when transferring the images photographed by the camera 10 to the PC40. The PC 40 at the receiving end stores the image data files 14-ntransferred from the camera 10 in a photographed image folder (i.e., “MYCAMERA” folder) 42 as photographed image data files 43-1, 43-2, . . .43-n, and so on (represented by “43-n” hereinafter). The photographedimage folder 42 is set up in the storage area of HDD (Hard Disk Drive)41 comprised by the PC 40.

The album list file (i.e., “ALBUM.PVM” file) 15 is a management file forindicating relationship (subordinate relationship) between each of theimage data files 14-n and the albums containing the image data file 14-n(i.e., the image data file 14-n belongs to). In the album list file 15,an album list 17 listing the file name of each file for the each albumcontaining the file shows the aforementioned relationship. In thesequence of file names of the album list 17, the head thereof issupposed to write the file name of image data file for cover imageapplicable to the cover of the album. And the sequence of file names ineach album list is used for the sequence information indicating thereplay sequence at the time of replaying the images contained in thealbum. For instance, the cover image of album whose file name appears atthe head of the list will be replayed first at the time of replaying thealbum. Meanwhile, the album list file 15 also shows the photograph list16 as described above.

Note that the present embodiment assumes that the number of albumsmanaged by the album list 17 is predetermined, with each album beingnamed as “ALBUM 1”, “ALBUM 2”, “ALBUM 3”, and so on.

The album list file 15 is supposed to be sent from the PC 40 togetherwith the image data files 14-n representing the images contained by thealbums. When the image data files 14-n and the album list file 15 aresent from the PC 40, the camera 10 stores the image data files 14-n inthe image storage folder 13 and stores the album list file 15 byoverwriting with it immediately under the root directory in the storagearea of the memory card 11. Here, the photograph list 16 is kept intactinstead of being overwritten, however. In the meantime, if a memory card11 having no album list file 15 therein is inserted to the camera 10, analbum list file 15 is created in the memory card 11 for storing. This isbecause the information about the image photographed by the camera 10needs to be written in the photograph list 16.

Note that the present embodiment assumes there is no overlapping in filenames of data files whose data contents are different from each other inthe image root folder 12 for simplicity. Therefore only a file nameindicated in the photograph list 16 and the album list 17 can identifyuniquely an image data file 14-n contained in the image root folder 12.Here, for example a configuration may alternatively be such that animage data file 14-n can be uniquely identified even if file names ofimage data files 14-n are overlapped in the image root folder 12 byshowing also the information for indicating the storage place of a filein the photograph list 16 and the album list 17 in addition to the dateand time of creating the file and the file name.

The next description is about FIG. 2A which shows a hardwareconfiguration of the camera 10 shown by FIG. 1.

In FIG. 2A, a photo image process unit 23, an image process unit 24, aRAM 25, a memory I/F (Interface) 26, a display process unit 27, a USBI/F 29 and a CPU 30 are all connected with a bus 33 and capable ofexchanging mutually various kinds of data under the control of the CPU30.

A photographic object imaged by a lens 21 is converted to an electricsignal by an image unit 22 which is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) forexample, to be inputted to the photo image process unit 23 thatamplifies the inputted electric signal to a predetermined amplitudefollowed by an A/D (analog to digital) conversion thereof to output theimage data indicating the image which expresses the photographic object.

The image process unit 24 applies image processings such as gammacorrection, edge enhancement, white balance correction, et cetera, ofthe image expressed by the aforementioned image data for the respectiveimage data outputted from the photo image process unit 23. Also appliesa data compression processing for the image data when storing it in amemory card 11 as required; and furthermore, applies a datadecompression processing for image data read out of the memory card whenreplaying the image represented by the image data being stored in thememory card as required.

The RAM 25 is a random access memory for use as a work area whenrequired for a various processings performed by the image process unit24 or the CPU 30.

The memory I/F 26, being an interface used for connecting the memorycard 11 with the bus 33, enables various writing and reading data in andout of the memory card 11 under the management of CPU 30.

The display process unit 27 applies a digital to analog (D/A) conversionto an image data received by way of the bus 33 to provide it to adisplay unit 28.

The display unit 28, being an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for example,displays an image represented by the image data being inputted into thedisplay process unit 27.

The USB (Universal Serial Bus) I/F 29, being the interface connectingthe USB bus 60 (shown by FIG. 1) and the bus 33, enables a various dataexchanges between the camera 10 and the PC 40.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 30 controls the operation of the wholecamera 10.

ROM 31 is a read only memory storing a control program executed by theCPU 30 and a various data for executing the control program as required,and the above described operation control is made possible by the CPU 30executing the control program.

An operation input unit 32, comprehending switches operated by the userof camera 10, obtains a user instruction corresponding to the operationcontent and hands the instruction to the CPU 30.

The next description is about FIG. 2B which shows a hardwareconfiguration of the PC 40 shown by FIG. 1. In FIG. 2B, a CPU 51, a ROM52, a RAM 53, an HDD 41, an input unit 54, a data read apparatus 55, adisplay unit 56 and a USB I/F 57 are all connected with a bus 58 andcapable of exchanging various data mutually under the management of CPU51.

The CPU 51 controls the entire operation of PC 40. The ROM 52 is a readonly memory storing the basic control program executed by the CPU 51 anda various data used for executing the program as required, and theoperation control of the entire PC 40 is made possible by the CPU 51executing the basic control program.

The RAM 53 is a random access memory used as a work area by the CPU 51for various processing as required.

The HDD 41, being a magnetic disk apparatus, is capable of storingvarious control programs executed by the CPU 51 and various data usedfor the execution thereby as required, in addition to the abovedescribed photographed image data files 43-n.

The input unit 54, comprehending a pointing device such as mouse and akey board apparatus for example, obtains a user instructioncorresponding to the operation contents of those devices.

The data read apparatus 55, comprehending a CD (Compact Disk)-ROM driveor a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)-ROM drive for example, is an apparatusfor reading various data stored by a storage medium 59, such as CD-ROMor a DVD-ROM, et cetera, which stores later described image managementsoftware for the commercial distribution. In the PC 40, the data readapparatus 55 reads the image management software out of the storagemedium 59 and stores in the HDD 41 in advance so that the CPU 51 readsthe aforementioned image management software out of the HDD 41 toexecute an instruction when the user gives the execution instructionthereof through the input unit 54.

Meanwhile the storage medium 59 may be configured by a storage apparatuscomprised by a computer equipped with a program server function andbeing connected with a communication network such as the Internet. Insuch a case, transmitting a transmission signal gained by modulating acarrier wave by the data signal expressing the image management softwareto the computer from a program server by way of a communication line astransmission medium on one hand, and the PC, comprising an apparatus forconnecting with the communication line, receiving the transmissionsignal, demodulating it and reconstructing the image management softwareon the other will enable the CPU 51 to execute it.

The display unit 56, comprehending an LCD or a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)for example, displays a predetermined image in compliance with aninstruction of CPU 51.

The USB I/F 57, being an interface for connecting the USB bus 60 shownby FIG. 1 and the bus 58, enables various data exchanges between the PC40 and the camera 10. Meanwhile, the PC 40 is configured as a standardcomputer usually is.

The next description is about image management software executed by theCPU 51 comprised by the PC 40. The image management software providesthe functions of taking an image photographed by the camera 10 into thePC 40; and creating and editing albums, making a cover image for eachalbum and transmitting the albums back to the camera 10, all in the PC40. The following description is about each of various controlprocessings by the CPU 51 executing the image management software.

The first description is about FIG. 3 which is a flow chart showing aprocessing content of photographed image obtainment processing which isa processing for receiving the image data files 14-n relating to theimages photographed by the camera 10 to let the photographed imagefolder 42 placed in the HDD 41 store them as the photographed image datafiles 43-n. Incidentally, the processing is initiated to execute when aninstruction for starting the processing is inputted in the input unit54, that is, for instance a displayed button indicating “image read-in”is clicked on in a screen displayed by the display unit 56 in the PC 40which is executing the image management software. An alternativeconfiguration may be to start the processing automatically when the CPU51 detects a connection of the camera 10 with the PC 40 by way of theUSB bus 60. When the processing starts, the processing lets the USB I/F57 transmit data addressed to the camera 10 for requiring a transmissionof photographed image in the step S101 (a la “S101” hereinafter).

Over at the camera 10, upon receiving the transmission requirement datatransmitted by way of the USB bus 60, the CPU 30 refers to thephotograph list 16 stored in the memory card 11, reads an image datafile 14-n indicated by the file name therein out of the image rootfolder 12 and transmits the readout image data file 14-n to the PC 40 byway of the USB I/F 29. And then, the CPU 30 transmits data indicating acompletion of transmitting the photographed image to the PC 40 by way ofthe USB I/F 29 when completing a transmission of all the image datafiles 14-n being indicated by the file names in the photograph list 16.

In S102, the processing obtains the image data files 14-n transmittedfrom the camera 10 by way of the USB bus 60 at the USB I/F 57, followedby storing the obtained image data files 14-n in the photographed imagefolder 42 placed in the HDD 41 as the photographed image data files 43-nin S103.

Subsequently, judges whether or not the camera 10 has sent datanotifying a completion of transmitting the photographed images in S104and, if the notification is received (“yes” for the judgment), thephotographed image obtainment processing ends. On the other hand, if thenotification has not been received (“no” for the judgment), the processgoes back to S102 for repeating the above described processing.

Such is the photographed image obtainment processing. The nextdescription is about FIGS. 4 and 5 together of which is a flow chartshowing a processing content of album operation processing. Theprocessing deals with editing the album, creating a cover image of thealbum, superimposing a title character string on the cover image andtransmitting the album back to the camera 10. Incidentally, theprocessing is initiated to execute when an instruction for starting theprocessing is inputted in the input unit 54, that is, for instance adisplayed button indicating an instruction for operating an album isclicked on, et cetera, in a screen displayed by the display unit 56 as aresult of executing the image management software for inputting via theinput unit 54 on the PC 40 which is executing the image managementsoftware.

First in S111 shown by FIG. 4, the processing is to let the display unit56 display an album operation screen. FIG. 6 exemplifies an albumoperation screen. Note that the photographed image data files 43-nstored by the photographed image folder 42 placed in the HDD 41 are readout and a catalog of images (each image will be called “photographedimage” hereinafter) represented by the respective photographed imagedata files 43-n are displayed in the photographed image display part 71shown by FIG. 6 at this stage in the present embodiment. In S112, theprocessing is to obtain an instruction of the user for selecting analbum as the object of album operation for this time at the input unit54. Incidentally the album selection is done by clicking the pointer, etcetera, for an album selection indicator 73 shown by FIG. 6.

In S113, the processing is to refer to the folder corresponding to thealbum related to the obtained instruction (this folder will be called“album folder” hereinafter) by the processing in the previous step fromamong the folders stored in the HDD.

In S114, the processing is to read the image data files stored in thereferring album folder and let the display unit 56 display a catalog ofimages (each of the images will be called “album image” hereinafter)represented by the readout image data files in the album operationscreen which is currently displaying.

In the example shown by FIG. 6, the album image display part 72 displaysa catalog of the album images. If an image data file of cover image iscontained in the album folder, the cover image represented by the imagedata file will be displayed in the cover image display part 74.

In S115, the processing is to obtain an instruction of the usercorresponding to the operation done for the input unit 54. Note that theinstruction corresponds to a clicking of any one of image additioninstruction buttons 75, image deletion instruction button 76, coverimage selection instruction button 77, title input instruction button 78or album transmission instruction button 79 in the example of screenshown by FIG. 6.

In S116, the processing is to judge whether or not the obtainedinstruction in S115 is the one corresponding to the image additioninstruction button 75 shown by FIG. 6, that is, an instruction to add aphotographed image to the album and, only if the judgment result is“yes”, then In S117, let the image data file of the photographed imagerelating to the instruction move to the currently referring albumfolder.

Note that the image addition instruction buttons 75 include an “add all”and “add” buttons. The “add all” button is for instructing to move allof the image data files of the photographed images to the currentlyreferring album folder, while the “add” button is for instructing tomove a part of image data files already selected by an operation in theinput unit 54 from among the photographed images. Therefore the ones notselected among the photographed images will be left in the photographedimage folder 42.

Meanwhile, the display position of the photographed images relating tothe instruction is moved from the photographed image display part 71 tothe end portion of images displayed in the album image display part 72in the example screen shown by FIG. 6.

In S118, the processing is to judge whether or not the obtainedinstruction by the processing of S115 is corresponding to the imagedeletion instruction button 76, that is, the instruction for deletingthe album image from the album and, only if the judgment is “yes”,delete the image data file of the album image relating to theinstruction from the currently referring album folder in S119.

Incidentally, clicking on the image addition instruction buttons 75deletes the image data files of the album images thereof alreadyselected by such operation in the input unit 54 from the currentlyreferring album folder in the example shown by FIG. 6.

Also in the screen example shown by FIG. 6, delete the display of albumimages relating to the instruction from the catalog of images shown inthe album image display part 72 associated with deleting the image datafile. In S120, the processing is to judge whether or not the obtainedinstruction by the processing of S115 is relating to a creation of coverimage, that is, relating to the cover image selection instruction button77 or the title input instruction button 78 in the example shown by FIG.6 and, only if the judgment result is “yes”, perform a cover imagecreation processing In S121 which will be described in detail later.

Now proceeding to the description of FIG. 5, In S122, the processing isto judge whether or not the obtained instruction by the processing inS115 is relating to the album transmission instruction button 79 in theexample shown by FIG. 6, that is, an instruction for transmitting thealbum to the camera 10 and, only if the judgment result is “yes”,perform the album transmission processing In S123 which will also bedescribed in detail later.

In S124, the processing is to judge whether or not the obtainedinstruction by the processing in S115 was relating to ending the albumoperation processing and, if the judgment result is “yes”, then closethe album operation screen displayed by the display unit 56 In S125,thus ending the album operation processing. On the other hand, if thejudgment result in S124 is “no”, go back to the S115 shown by FIG. 4 torepeat the above described processings.

Such is the album operation processing.

The next description is about a cover image creation processing that isthe one in S121 shown by FIG. 4 as a part of the above described albumoperation processing. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a processingcontent of the cover image creation processing.

First in S141, the processing is to judge whether or not the obtainedinstruction by the processing in S115 was relating to the title inputinstruction button 78 in the example shown by FIG. 6, that is, theinstruction for title input for the already set cover image and, if thejudgment result is “yes”, then proceed to the processing of the S149. Onthe other hand if the judgment result is “no”, that is, the one relatingto the cover image selection instruction button 77, then proceed to theprocessing of S142.

In S142, the processing is to open a cover image creation screen (i.e.,by having the display unit 56 display), FIG. 8 exemplifies a cover imagecreation screen.

In S143, the processing is to read all the image data files out of thecurrently referring album folder, followed by letting the display unit56 display a catalog of album images represented by the readoutrespective image data files in the currently displaying cover imagecreation screen in S144. In the screen example shown by FIG. 8, thecatalog of images is displayed by a candidate cover image display part81. Here, these images are candidates for a cover image and when theuser operates the input unit 54 corresponding to an instruction forselecting an image, the image will be displayed in the cover imagedisplay part 82.

In S145, the processing is to judge whether or not an instruction forchanging a candidate for the cover image by changing the referringfolder has been obtained, that is, whether or not the instruction forchanging the referring folders by clicking and the like in a folder setpart 83 in the screen example shown by FIG. 8 has been received and, ifthe judgment result is “yes”, refer to the folder relating to theobtained instruction in S146, followed by going back to S143 forrepeating the above described processing. This processing makes itpossible to select the cover image of the album as the object of albumoperation from images other than those of the referring album. On theother hand, if the judgment result in S145 is “no”, proceed to theprocessing in S147.

In S147, the processing is to judge whether or not an instruction fordeciding on a cover image has been obtained, that is, whether or not adecision button 84 has been operated in the screen example shown by FIG.8 and, if the judgment result is “yes”, read the file name for the imagedata file of the image relating to the decision instruction as the imagedata file of the cover image (i.e., cover image data file) to storetemporarily in a certain area of the RAM 53 in S148, and perform a titlesuperimposing processing in the subsequent S149, followed by theprocessing in S151. The title superimposing processing will be describedin detail later. Meanwhile, in the screen example shown by the albumoperation screen shown by FIG. 6, the image displayed in the cover imagedisplay part 74 until this time will now be replaced by the cover imagerelating to the decision instruction.

In the meantime, if the judgment result in S147 is “no”, proceed to theprocessing of S150.

In S150, the processing is to judge whether or not an instruction hasbeen received for canceling the cover image creation processing, thatis, operating the cancel button 84 in the screen example shown by FIG. 8and, if the judgment result is “yes”, proceed to the processing of theS151, and, if the judgment result is “no”, then go back to the S145 torepeat the above described processing.

In S151, the processing is to close (i.e., erase) the cover imagecreation screen displayed by the display unit 56, thus ending the coverimage creation processing, followed by going back to the album operationprocessing shown by FIG. 4.

Such is the cover image creation processing.

The next description is about a title superimposing processing which isthe one for the S149 in the above described cover image creationprocessing. FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a processing content of titlecompound processing.

First in S161, the processing is to open a title input screen (by havingthe display unit 56 display). FIG. 10 exemplifies a title input screen.

In S162, the processing is to obtain the content of character stringcorresponding to the user inputting in the input unit 54. In the screenexample shown by FIG. 10, the content of obtained character string isdisplayed in the input text display part 86.

In S163, the processing is to judge whether or not an instruction hasbeen received for completing an input of character string and decidingthe character string for the title, that is, an operation is done forthe decision button 87 in the screen example shown by FIG. 10 and, ifthe judgment result is “yes”, proceed to the processing of S165. On theother hand, if the judgment result is “no”, judges whether or not aninstruction has been received for canceling the title superimposeprocessing, that is, an operation is done for the cancel button 88 inthe screen example shown by FIG. 10 in S164. If the judgment result is“yes”, proceed to the processing of the S166, while if the judgmentresult is “no”, goes back to the S152 to repeat the above describedprocessing. In S165, the processing is to generate the character stringimage expressing the obtained character string by the processing ofS162, superimpose the generated character string image on the coverimage represented by the cover image data file stored in the certainarea of the RAM 53 by the processing in S148 of the above describedcover image creation processing (shown by FIG. 7) and store the imagedata file expressing the obtained superimposed image in theaforementioned certain area of the RAM 53 anew. Incidentally, thecharacter string image is generated based on the set form, size andcolor established by the character style set part 89 in the screenexample shown by FIG. 10.

In S166, the processing is to assign a predetermined file name to thecover image data file stored in the certain area of the RAM 53, andstore the cover image data file by adding to the currently referringalbum folder in S167. Incidentally, the image displayed until this timein the cover image display part 74 will now be replaced by the coverimage superimposed by the character string in the album operation screenexample shown by FIG. 6.

In S168, the processing is to close (i.e., erase) the title input screencurrently displayed by the display unit 56, thus ending the titlesuperimposing processing, followed by going back to the cover imagecreation processing shown by FIG. 7.

Such is the title superimposing processing. Thus superimposing acharacter string image expressing the title on the cover image enables acamera 10 having no font data for characters such as Kanji characters todisplay an album title, with a various styles of the charactersexpressing the title being made possible. The next description is aboutan album transmission processing that is the one by the S123 (shown byFIG. 5) in the above described album operation processing. FIG. 11 is aflow chart showing a processing content of album transmissionprocessing.

First in S171, the processing is to obtain the album name correspondingto the currently referring album folder.

In S172, the processing is to transmit data to the camera 10 by way ofthe USB I/F 57 requiring a transmission of album list file 15 stored inthe memory card 11 comprised by the camera 10. A detailed description ofprocessing in the camera 10 receiving the transmission requirement willbe given later.

In S173, the processing is to obtain the album list file 15 transmittedfrom the camera 10 in response to the above described requirement by wayof the USB I/F 57. Note that the camera 10 may send back data notifyingthat there is no album list file 15, which will be described in detaillater. If the aforementioned data is received from the camera 10, theprocessing in S174 is to judge whether or not there is an album listfile 15 in the camera 10 and, only if there is not (i.e., the judgmentis “no”), make an album list file 15 anew in S175.

In S176, the processing is to refer to the list in the album by thealbum name obtained by the processing of the S171 within the album list17 contained by the album list file 15, and add the file names of theimage data files contained in the currently referring album folderplaced in the HDD 41 one by one to the tail end of the sequence of filenames of the image data files being shown in the list.

In S177, the processing is to judge whether or not the image data fileof the cover image is contained in the currently referring album folderand, if the judgment is “yes”, proceed to the S178, while it is “no”,proceed to the S181.

In S178, the processing is to judge whether or not an instruction fortransmitting the title image has been received and, if the judgment is“yes”, proceed to the S180, while it is “no”, proceed to the S179.Incidentally, the instruction for transmitting the title image is judgedwhether or not the check mark for the cover creation check box 80 hasbeen put in the screen example of the album operation screen shown byFIG. 6.

In S179, the processing is to transmit all the data files contained inthe currently referring album folder except for the one for the coverimage to the camera 10 by way of the USB I/F 57, followed by proceedingto the S182. In S180, the processing is to insert the file name of theimage data file of the cover image stored in the currently referringalbum folder by moving to the head of a list within the album list inwhich the file name has been added to in the processing of the S176. Bythis processing, the file name for the image data file of the coverimage will be shown at the head of list within the album in the albumlist 17.

Meanwhile, the processing of the S180 may be changed to insert the filename of the image data file of the cover image stored in the currentlyreferring album folder at the tail end of the list so as to replay thecover image at the end of a sequential replay of the album images. Thisis for handling the cover image created by the above describedprocessing as if it were the back cover of the album.

In S181 the processing transmits all the image data files contained bythe currently referring album folder to the camera 10 by way of the USBI/F 57.

In S182 the processing transmits the album list file 15 in which filenames have been added to the album list 17 to the camera 10 by way ofthe USB I/F 57, thus ending the album transmission processing, followedby going back to the album operation processing shown by FIG. 5.

Such is the album transmission processing.

The next describes the control processing performed by the CPU 30comprised by the camera 10. These processings are accomplished by theCPU 30 executing control programs stored in the ROM 31.

The first description is about an album receiving processing outlined bythe flow chart shown by FIG. 12. This processing is for the camera 10receiving data relating to the album transmitted from the PC 40, whichis initiated by the CPU 30 detecting that the USB I/F 29 has receivedthe data indicating a requirement for transmitting the album list file15 following the PC 40 executing the above described album transmissionprocessing.

First in S201, the processing is to judge whether or not the album listfile 15 is stored by searching the memory card 11 and, if it is stored(i.e., “yes” in the judgment result), read out the album list file 15 totransmit to the PC 40 by way of the USB I/F 29 in S202; whereas if it isnot stored (i.e., “no” in the judgment result), transmit data fornotifying of an album list file 15 being in existent to the PC 40 by wayof the USB I/F 29 in S203. The data transmitted by the processing inS202 or S203 is received by the PC 40 executing the processing of S173in the above described album transmission processing.

In S204, the processing obtains the data transmitted from the PC 40 inresponse to the data transmitted by the processing in S202 or S203 byletting the USB I/F 29 receive it.

In S205, the processing is to judge whether or not the obtained data bythe processing of the previous step is an image data file and, if thejudgment result is “yes”, store the obtained image data file in theimage storage folder 13 contained by the image root folder 12 of thememory card 11 in S206, followed by going back to S204 for repeating theabove described processing. On the other hand, if the judgment result inS205 is “no”, judge whether or not the obtained data by the processingof the S204 is the album list file 15 in S207. If the judgment result is“yes”, the album transmission processing being executed by the PC 40 isregarded as complete, because the PC 40 executing the above describedalbum transmission processing transmits the album list 15 aftercompleting transmission of all the image data files to be transmitted asa result of processing in S179, S181 and S182, all shown by FIG. 11,thus proceeding to the S208. On the other hand, if the judgment resultin S207 is “no”, it goes back to the S204 for repeating the abovedescribed processing.

In S208, the processing overwrites the album list file 15 obtained bythe processing of the S204 immediately under the root directory of thememory card. In this processing, however, the photograph list 16 shownby the pre-overwritten album list file 15 remains untouched. Thus, thealbum receiving processing ends.

Such is the album receiving processing.

The next description is about an album replay processing shown by theflow chart of its processing content in FIG. 13. This is a process forviewing an album sent from the PC on the camera 10.

To start the album replay processing, first the user operates theoperation input unit 32 so as to make the display unit 28 display afunction selection screen relating to the album operation as shown byFIG. 14A and then further operates the operation input unit 32 so as toselect the function of “album replay”.

First in S211, an album selection processing is done. The processingselects an album for viewing from among a plurality of albums retainedby the camera 10, a detail of which will be described later.

In S212, the processing is to refer to the album list 17 shown by thealbum list file 15 which is stored in the memory card 11 to obtain thefile name at the head from among the file names listed corresponding tothe selected album by the processing of the S211.

In S213, the processing is to obtain the image data file 14-ncorresponding to the obtained file name by the immediately previousprocessing by searching the aforementioned file name in the image rootfolder 12 of the memory card 11.

In S214, the processing is to give instructions to the image processunit 24 and the display process unit 27 to let the display unit 28display the image represented by the file obtained in the previous step.

In S215, the processing is to judge whether or not an instruction formaking a displayed image in the display unit 28 change from thecurrently displayed to the anterior or posterior images has beenreceived, which is an instruction by the user operating the operationinput unit 32 and, if the instruction has been received (“yes” for thejudgment result), proceed to the S216, while, if the instruction has notbeen received (“no” for the judgment result), then proceed to the S217.In S216, the processing is to refer to the album list 17 shown by thealbum list file 15 stored in the memory card 11 to obtain the file nameof the order relating to the instruction which has been judged to begiven from among the file names arranged in correspondence with thealbum selected by the processing of the S211, followed by going back tothe S213 for repeating the above described processings.

In S217, the processing is to judge whether or not an instruction forending the album replay processing has been received, which is done bythe user operating the operation input unit 32, and, if the instructionhas been received (“yes” for the judgment result), make the functionselection screen relating to the album operation as described above bedisplayed again in S218, thus ending the album replay processing. On theother hand, if the judgment result in S217 is “no”, then go back to theS215 for repeating the above described processings. Such is the albumreplay processing.

At this time, the description is how an album editing is done in thecamera 10.

FIGS. 15A and 15C respectively exemplify the contents of album list 17prior to and after adding an image to one of the albums stored in thecamera 10 for registration; FIGS. 15B and 15D respectively exemplify thecatalogs of album cover images (i.e., index display) displayed by thedisplay unit 28 in accordance with the album list 17. And, FIG. 15Eshows the relationship between an image data file 14-n and the displayimage in the examples shown by FIGS. 15A and 15C, and FIGS. 15B and 15D.

In the album list 17 shown by FIG. 15A, the head of “Album 2” list showsthe file name “P1010021.JPG.” As described above, since the file name ofimage data file representing the cover image corresponding to the coverof the album is written at the head of file names in the album list 17,the catalog display screen displaying the cover image of each albumaccording to the album list 17 shown by FIG. 15B displays the image offlower which is the image of “P1010021.JPG” whose relationship is shownby FIG. 15E as the cover image of the “Album 2”.

Here, the image of house expressed by “P1010078.JPG” will be added tothe “Album 2”. In this, an album list renewal for inserting, at the headof the list for the “Album 2” in the album list 17, the file name“P1010078.JPG” of the image data file representing the image of thehouse to be registered will be done as shown by FIG. 15C in the camera10. That is, the camera 10 according to the present invention isconfigured to set a newly registering image as the cover image of theapplicable album automatically when registering the image in an albumanew. This eliminates a need of separate operations between registeringan image in an album and setting the image as the cover image for thealbum, that much simplifying the operational procedures for theregistration and setting.

As described above, the “P1010078.JPG” is inserted at the head of “Album2” list in the album list 17, therefore the catalog display screen ofthe cover image of each album according to the album list 17 shown byFIG. 15D displays the image of the house whose relationship with the“P1010078. JPG” is shown by FIG. 15E.

Incidentally, the image of the house expressed by “P1010078.JPG” as acover image shown by FIG. 15D is superimposed by an icon shown by FIG.15F. Displaying the icon notifies the user of an additional registrationto the “Album 2”.

Note that the two other icons are provided in addition to the one shownby FIG. 15F in the present embodiment, that is, superimposing the iconshown by FIG. 15G on a cover image means a deletion of image from thealbum relating to the cover image; and the icon shown by FIG. 15H on acover image means a certain editing (e.g., a change in the list sequenceof the file name in the image data file 14-n, switching a cover image,et cetera), other than registration and deletion, has been done to thealbum relating to the cover image.

A notification to the user of a presence or absence of changingoperation to the album visually by superimposing such icons on coverimages enables the user to recognize what kind of change has been madeto the album easily. The following description is about the processingby the CPU 30 for accomplishing the above described album editingoperation in the camera 10.

First description is about an album selection processing which is theprocessing of the S211 in the above described album replay processing.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a processing content of album selectionprocessing.

First in S221, the processing refers to the album list 17 by reading thealbum list file 15 out of the memory card 11.

In S222, the processing determines the content of instruction, which isgiven by the user operating the operation input unit 32, regarding amethod for displaying the cover image in the display unit 28. Here, ifthe aforementioned instruction is for a catalog display of the coverimages of the albums (i.e., index display) as exemplified by FIG. 14B,proceeds to the processing of S229; while the instruction is fordisplaying the cover images frame by frame (i.e., single frame display)as exemplified by FIG. 14C, proceeds to the S223.

In S223, the processing obtains the file name at the head of thesequence thereof for the image data files 14-n within the “Album 1,”that is, the file name of the image data file 14-n which is the coverimage of the album.

In S224, the processing obtains the image data file 14-n, whose filename has been obtained by the immediately previous processing, bysearching in the image root folder 12 of the memory card 11.

In S225, the processing gives instructions to the image process unit 24and the display process unit 27 to have the display unit 28 display thecover image represented by the image data file 14-n obtained by theprocessing of the previous step.

In S 226, the processing judges whether or not an instruction has beenreceived for selecting an album other than the one currently showing therepresentative image in the display unit 28 by the user operating theoperation input unit 32 and, if the instruction has been received (“yes”for the judgment result), obtains the file name at the head of a list offile names of the image data files 14-n for the album relating to theaforementioned instruction in S227, followed by going back to the S224for repeating the above described processings.

On the other hand, if such an instruction has not been received in S226(“no” for the judgment result), judges whether or not an instruction hasbeen received for deciding on one selection from among the cover imagesby the user operating the operation input unit 32 in S228 and, if thedecision instruction has been received (“yes” for the judgment), endsthe album selection processing followed by going back to the previousprocessing. On the other hand, if the instruction has not been received(“no” for the judgment result), goes back to the S226 for repeating theabove described processing.

Incidentally, in S222, if the judgment is that an instruction from theuser has been received for an index display of the cover images ofalbums, an index display for the albums will be done, whose processcontent is shown by FIGS. 17A and 17B.

Let it describe the process content of the album index displayprocessing at this time.

First in S241 shown by FIG. 17A, the processing obtains the file name atthe head of the list thereof for the image data file 14-n for each albumwithin the album list 17. Incidentally, the file name at the head is forthe image data file 14-n of the cover image of each album according tothe processing of the S280 in the album transmission processing (referto FIG. 11).

In S242, the processing obtains the image data files 14-n, which are thefile names obtained by the processing in the previous step, byrespectively searching in the image root folder 12 of the memory card11.

In S243, the processing gives instructions to the image process unit 24and the display process unit 27 to let the display unit 28 display thecover images respectively represented by the image data files 14-nobtained by the processing of the previous step, in a form of catalogdisplay (i.e., index display), in which a selection frame encirclingeither one of the cover images displayed in the index display screen isalso shown. The selection frame is for identifying a user selection ofthe cover images in the index display screen.

In S244, the processing obtains the number portion of the album names(i.e., “Album 1”, “Album 2”, “Album 3” and so on) given to therespective albums within the album list 17 to substitute for thevariable X[i] (where i=1, 2, . . . ) one by one.

In S245, the processing counts the number of images in the each albumwithin the album list 17 to substitute the counting result for thevariable A(X[i]), respectively.

In S246, the processing figures out the maximum number of images allowedto be registered for each album within the album list 17 to substitutethe obtained maximum number of images for the variable B(X[i]),respectively. The processing, now proceeding to FIG. 17B and the S247,gives instructions to the image process unit 24 and the display processunit 27 so as to have the display unit 28 display the album names andvalues for the above described variables A(X[i]) and B(X[i]), in thenotation of “Album X” and “A/B”, for the album corresponding to thecover image with the above described selection frame being displayed andfor the albums whose album numbers are close to the aforementioned albumon the right side of the index display.

In S248, the processing changes the display color of album displaycorresponding to the cover image with the above described selectionframe being displayed among the displays shown by the processing of theprevious step. Note that the style or size of the font, et cetera, maybe changed, instead of the color in this processing. In S249, theprocessing is to judge whether or not any change has been made to any ofthe list in each album within the album list 17 after the most recentalbum viewing and, if the judgment is that there has been a change(“yes” for the judgment), proceed to the S250; while, if no change hasbeen made (“no” for the judgment), end the album index displayprocessing, followed by going back to the original processing.

In S250, the processing is to identify the content of the changedetected by the processing in the previous step. Here, if a file name ofnew image data file 14-n is identified to have been added to any of thealbum lists[cl], proceed to S251. Or, if a file name of image data file14-n is identified to have been deleted, proceed to S252. Or, if anyediting other than a registration or deletion (e.g., change in the listsequence of image data file 14-n, et cetera) is identified to have beendone to any of the album lists, proceed to S253.

In S251, the processing is to give instructions to the image processunit 24 and the display process unit 27 to have the icon for showing animage “added” (refer to FIG. 15F) superimposed on the album which hasbeen additionally registered by a file name of image data file 14-namong the cover images shown by the currently displayed index displayscreen of the display unit 28, thus ending the album index displayprocessing, followed by going back to the original processing.

In S252, the processing is to give instructions to the image processunit 24 and the display process unit 27 to have the icon for showing animage “deleted” (refer to FIG. 15G) superimposed on the album in which afile name of image data file 14-n has been deleted from the album listamong the cover images shown by the currently displayed index displayscreen of the display unit 28, thus ending the album index displayprocessing, followed by going back to the original processing.

In S253, the processing is to give instructions to the image processunit 24 and the display process unit 27 to have the icon for showing animage “edited” (refer to FIG. 15H) superimposed on the album in whichany editing, other than registration or deletion, has been done amongthe cover images shown by the currently displayed index display screenof the display unit 28, thus ending the album index display processing,followed by going back to the original processing.

Such is the album index display processing.

The description now goes back to the processing after the album indexdisplay processing in S229 shown by FIG. 16.

In S230, the processing is to judge whether or not an instruction forchanging a selection of the cover images in index display by the displayunit 28 by the user operating the operation input unit 32 (that is, aninstruction for moving the above described selection frame to anothercover image) has been received and, if judged to have been received(“yes” for the judgment), proceed to S231, while if not received (“no”for the judgment), proceed to S233.

In S231, the processing is to give instructions to the image processunit 24 and the display process unit 27 to have the display unit 28display the album names and values for the above described variablesA(X[i]) and B(X[i]), in the notation of “Album X” and “A/B”, for thealbum corresponding to the cover image with the above describedselection frame being displayed anew and the albums whose album numbersare close to the aforementioned album on the right side of the indexdisplay.

In S232, the processing is to change display colors of the display ofthe album corresponding to the cover image with the selection framebeing displayed among the display made by the processing in the previousstep. Note that, also, in the processing of form, size, et cetera, ofthe font may be changed instead of changing the displayed colors.

In S233, the processing is to judge whether or not an instruction fordeciding on one selection of the specified cover images by the useroperating the operation input unit 32 has been received and, if thedecision has been received (“yes” for the judgment), end the albumselection processing, followed by going back to the original processing.On the other hand, if the decision has not been received (“no” for thejudgment), go back to the S230 for repeating the above describedprocessing.

Such is the album selection processing which makes the icon superimposedon the cover images in the index display as shown by FIG. 15.

The next description is about an image album registration processingshown by a flow chart of its content in FIG. 18. The processing is forregistering a photographed image or an image contained in another albumto the album as cover image.

The image album registration processing is initiated by the useroperating the operation input unit 32 for instructing the aforementionedprocessing.

First in S301, the processing is to identify whereabouts of image as anobject of additional registration relating to the instruction thereforand, if the instruction identifies a photographed image as the object ofadditional registration (e.g., the object of registration is identifiedas “P070” which is shown in the photograph list 16, but not in the albumlist 17), determine the photograph list 16 contained by the album listfile 15 stored in the memory card 11 as the selection result in S302,followed by proceeding to the S304. On the other hand, if theinstruction identifies an image contained by an album as the object ofadditional registration in S301, execute the above described albumselection processing (refer to FIG. 16) in S303, resulting in selectingone of the albums shown by the album list 17 contained by the album listfile 15.

In S304, it performs an object image identification processing which isfor identifying a file name of image data file representing an image asthe object of additional registration from among the file names of theimage data files shown in the selected list. The detail of theprocessing will be described later.

In S305, the processing reads the file name of the image data filerepresenting the image identified by the processing in the previous stepout of either the photograph list 16 selected by the processing in S302or the list of selected album by the album selection processing in S303from among the album list 17.

In S306, the above described album selection processing (refer to FIG.16) is executed anew to select one of the albums shown in the album list17 contained by the album list file 15 as the result.

In S307, the processing is to insert the file name read out by theprocessing of S305 at the head of the list of albums (i.e., the sequenceof file names of the image data files 14-n) selected by the albumselection processing of S306 within the album list 17. By thisprocessing, the image of the file name is additionally registered as thecover image of the album.

Incidentally, if the processing of S307 is followed by the abovedescribed album index display processing (refer to FIGS. 17A and 17B),the processing of S251 is executed as a result of S250 shown by FIG. 17Bto superimpose the icon indicating “added” (refer to FIG. 15F) on theimage of the index display screen of the album cover images.

A completion of S307 ends the image album registration processing.

Such is the image album registration processing which registers anadditional image to the album and automatically sets the image as thecover image thereof. Incidentally, the image represented by the imagedata file 14-n relating to the file name shown at the head of the listof each album within the album list 17 is displayed for replay in thedisplay unit 28 by the processing of S212, S213 and S214 in the abovedescribed album replay processing. Meanwhile, in the above describedimage album registration processing, the file name of the cover image isregistered at the head of the list of each album within the album list17. Therefore, if an album replay processing is executed after the imagealbum registration is done, the image newly added for registration(i.e., the cover image of the album) will be displayed first.

The next description is about an object image determination processingwhich is the processing of the S304 in the above described image albumregistration processing. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a processingcontent of object image determination processing.

First in S311, the processing refers to either the photograph list 16selected by the processing of S302 shown by FIG. 18 or a list of imagesin the album selected by the album selection processing of S303 shown byFIG. 18 out of the album list 17.

In S312, the processing refers to identify the content of instructionabout a method for displaying images in the display unit 28 by the useroperating the operation input unit 32. Here, if the instruction is for acatalog of a plurality of images (i.e., index display), proceeds toS313, while, if the content of the instruction is for displaying imagesone by one (i.e., single frame display), proceeds to S318.

In S313, the processing sequentially obtains the file names shown in theabove described obtained list, and then obtains the image data files14-n of the obtained file names by respectively searching in the imageroot folder 12 stored by the memory card 11 in S314.

In S315, the processing gives instructions to the image process unit 24and the display process unit 27 to have the display unit 28 display thecover images expressed by the image data files 14-n obtained by theprocessing of the previous step.

In S316, the processing judges whether or not an instruction forselecting one of the images in the index display by the display unit 28by the user operating the operation input unit 32 has been received. Theprocessing of S316 will be repeated until the aforementioned instructionis received (until the judgment result becomes “yes”).

In S317, the processing judges whether or not an instruction fordetermining the one selection from among the identified images by theuser operating the operation input unit 32 has been received and, if theinstruction is given (“yes” for the judgment), ends the object imagedetermination processing, followed by going back to the originalprocessing. On the other hand, if the instruction is not given (“no” forthe judgment), goes back to S316 for repeating the above describedprocessing.

In S318, the processing obtains the file name at the head of thesequence thereof shown in the above described selected list.

In S319, the processing obtains the image data files 14-n of the filenames obtained by the processing executed immediately before bysearching in the image root folder 12 stored in the memory card 11.

In S320, the processing gives instructions to the image process unit 24and the display process unit 27 to have the display unit 28 display thecover images represented by the image data files 14-n obtained by theprocessing in the previous step.

In S321, the processing judges whether or not an instruction forselecting the images of the file names anterior and posterior to thefile name of the image data file representing the image currently beingdisplayed in the display part 28 within the above described obtainedlist by the user operating the operation input unit 32 has been receivedand, if the instruction is received (“yes” for the judgment), obtainsthe file names of sequences according to the instruction within theselected list in S322, followed by going back to S319 for repeating theabove described processing. On the other hand in S321, if such aninstruction has not been received (“no” for the judgment), it judgeswhether or not an instruction for determining the selection of the imagedisplayed by the display unit 28 has been received by the user operatingthe operation input unit 32 in S323 and, if the instruction fordetermining is received (“yes” for the judgment), ends the object imagedetermination processing, followed by going back to the originalprocessing. On the other hand, if the instruction for determining is notreceived (“no” for the judgment), it goes back to the S321 for repeatingthe above described processing.

Such is the object image determination processing.

The next description is about a method for deleting the image data files14-n stored by the image root folder 12 in the memory card 11.

FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C show the data content of the album list file 15and the storage state of the image data files 14-n in the image rootfolder 12 both of which are stored in the memory card 11, and inaddition, illustrate the display screens when the display unit 28 ismade to display either the photographed images or the album images inthe aforementioned storage state.

Each of FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C, shows the content of the photograph list16 as is, while the album list 17 as one thereof, i.e., “AlbumA”, bynaming the list thereof as “17-A”. And the photographed image indexdisplay 91 shows the index display screen of the cover images displayedby the display unit 28 based on the list of the current photograph list16, while the “AlbumA” image index display 92 shows the album imageindex display screen of the album images displayed by the display unit28 based on the content of the list of the current “Album A” album list17-A.

Let it be assumed that the camera 10 only has an album by the name of“Album A” in the example.

FIG. 20A exemplifies a storage state prior to deleting an image datafile 14-n.

In the example shown by FIG. 20A, the sequence of file names of theimage data files 14-n shown in the photograph list 16 is “P001, P002, .. . , P005, P006, P007, . . . , P012”. In this case, the photographedimage index display 91 is a catalog of images represented by the imagedata files 14-n which are assigned by these file names. And in thisexample, the sequence of file names of the image data files 14-n shownin the album list 17-A of “Album A” is “P001, P003, P004, P006, P009, .. . , P020”. In this case, “Album A” image index display 92 is a catalogof images represented by the image data files 14-n which are assigned bythese file names. At this point, the image data files 14-n assigned bythe file names “P001, P002, P003, P004, P005, P006, P007, . . . , P009,. . . , P012” are stored by the image storage folder 13 within the imageroot folder 12.

The state of FIG. 20B shows after a data operation is done for the datawithin the memory card 11 according to an instruction for deleting thephotographed image “006” by the user of the camera 10, starting from thestate of FIG. 20A.

In the transition from FIGS. 20A to 20B, the file name of “006” isdeleted from the photograph list 16. Therefore, the photographed imageof “P006” is deleted from the photograph list 16. In FIG. 20A, however,“P006” is also contained in the album list 17-A of “Album A” as albumimage, therefore the image data file 14-n representing “P006” is notdeleted from the image root folder 12 then. Therefore, it is stillpossible to display the image of “P006” and in fact the image of “P006”is displayed in the “Album A” image index display 92.

Subsequently, the state of FIG. 20C shows after a data operation is donefor the data within the memory card 11 according to an instruction fordeleting the album image of “P006” by the user of the camera 10,starting from the state of FIG. 20B.

In the transition from FIGS. 20B to 20C, the file name of “P006” is alsodeleted from the album list 17-A of “Album A”. Therefore, the albumimage of “P006” is deleted also from the “Album A” image index display92. As a result, the file name of “P006” disappears from both thephotograph list 16 and album list 17-A of “Album A”. Then the image datafile 14-n for “P006” is deleted from the image root folder 12.

As described so far, it is possible to delete an image data file 14-nproperly when the same image is included in a plurality of lists bydeleting the image data file 14-n having the same file name after thefile name disappears from both of the photograph list 16 and the albumlist 17.

The following description is about the processing to be performed by theCPU 30 in order to make the camera 10 capable of the method for deletingthe above described image data files 14-n.

First description deals with FIG. 21 which is a flow chart showing aprocessing content of photographed image deletion processing that is todelete the file name of the photographed image relating to a userinstruction from the photograph list 16, and also delete the image datafile 14-n with the aforementioned file name only if the file name is notshown in the album list 17, both at the time of receiving such aninstruction from the user. That is, this processing makes it possible todelete an image data file properly even if the photographed imagerelating to the instruction for deleting it obtained from the user iscontained in an album as album image.

Incidentally, the processing is initiated by the user operating theoperation input unit 32 for giving instruction for deleting aphotographed image.

First in S331, the processing selects the photograph list 16 from thealbum list file 15 stored in the memory card 11, and executes the abovedescribed object image determination processing (refer to FIG. 19) todetermine a photographed image as the object of deletion in S332. InS333, the processing reads the file name of the photographed imagedetermined by the processing in the previous step out of the photographlist 16.

In S334, the processing obtains an instruction for confirmation ofdeleting the photographed image by the user operating the operationinput unit 32, followed by judging whether or not the instruction is acancellation of the deletion in the subsequent step of S335. Here, ifthe judgment result is “yes”, ends the photographed image deletionprocessing; while, if the judgment result is “no”, judges whether or notthe instruction is for execution of deletion in S336 and, if thejudgment result is “yes”, the processing proceeds to the S337, whereas,if no, then goes back to the S334 for repeating the above describedprocessing.

In S337, the processing deletes the file name read out by the processingof S333 to delete it from the photograph list 16.

In the meantime, if the processing of S337 is followed by the abovedescribed album index display processing (refer to FIGS. 17A and 17B),the processing of S252 is executed by the judgment of S250 shown by FIG.17B to superimpose the icon expressing “deleted” image (refer to FIG.15G) on the index display of the representative images of albums.

In S338, the processing judges whether or not the file name read out ofthe photograph list 16 by the processing of S333 exists in the list offile names of the image data files 14-n for the each album in the albumlist 17 contained by the album list file 15 and, if the aforementionedfile name exists in the album list 17 (“yes” for the judgment), ends thephotographed image deletion processing as is. On the other hand, if theaforementioned file name does not exist in the album list 17 (“no” forthe judgment), deletes the image data file 14-n with the aforementionedfile name by finding it out of the image root folder 12 in S339.

Such is the photographed image deletion processing.

The next description is about FIG. 22 which is a flow chart showing aprocessing content of album image deletion processing that is to deletethe file name of album image relating to an instruction of the user fromthe album list 17, and also an image data file 14-n with theaforementioned file name from the image root folder 12 only if theaforementioned file name is not shown either in the photograph list 16or the album list 17, both at the time of receiving the instruction fordeleting the album image by the user. That is, this processing makes itpossible to delete an image data file properly, even if the album imagerelating to the user instruction for deletion is a photographed image oran album image contained by another album as well.

The album image deletion processing is initiated by the user operatingthe operation input unit 32 to make the display unit 28 display thefunction selection screen relating to the album operation as exemplifiedby FIG. 23A and further operating the operation input unit 32 to selectthe function of “cancel registration”.

First in S341, the processing selects the album containing the albumimage as the object of deletion as a result of executing the abovedescribed album selection processing (refer to FIG. 16).

In the subsequent step S342, it determines the photographed image as theobject of deletion as a result of executing the above described objectimage determination processing (refer to FIG. 19). FIG. 23B exemplifiesa screen of catalog display of album images displayed by the displayunit 28 on the camera 10 by the processing of S315 in the object imagedetermination processing; while FIG. 23C exemplifies a screen of singleframe display of album images displayed by the display unit 28 by theprocessing of S320.

In S343, the processing reads the file name of album image determined bythe processing of the previous step, out of the list of albums selectedby the processing of S341 within the album list 17.

In S344, the processing obtains an instruction for confirmation ofdeleting the album image by the user operating the operation input unit32, followed by judging whether or not the instruction indicates acancellation of the deletion processing in the following step S345 and,if the judgment result is “yes”, ends the album image deletionprocessing immediately. On the other hand, if the judgment result is“no”, it judges whether or not the instruction is for executing thedeletion in S346 and, if the judgment result is “yes”, proceeds to S347,while, if “no”, goes back to the processing of S344 for repeating theabove described processing.

FIG. 23D exemplifies a screen for making the display unit 28 display aninstruction for canceling a deletion processing of album image; and FIG.23E exemplifies a screen for making the display unit 28 display aninstruction for deleting album image, both relating to the processing ofthe above described processing in S344. In S347, the processing deletesthe readout file name by the processing of S343 from the list of filenames for the album selected by the processing of S341 within the albumlist 17.

In S348, the processing judges whether or not the file name readout ofthe album list 17 by the processing of S343 still exists in the list offile names of the image data files 14-n for each within the album list17 and, if at least one of the same file name exists in the album list17 (“yes” for the judgment), ends the album image deletion processing asis. On the other hand, if none of the aforementioned file names exist inthe album list 17 (“no” for the judgment), it proceeds to S349.

In S349, the processing judges whether or not the file name readout ofthe album list 17 by the processing of S343 exists in the photographlist 16 and, if the aforementioned file name exists (“yes” for thejudgment), ends the album image deletion processing as is. On the otherhand, if the file name does not exist in the photograph list 16 (“no”for the judgment), deletes the image data file 14-n with the file nameby searching it in the image root file 12 in S350. Upon finishing theprocessing of S350, ends the album image deletion processing.

Such is the album image deletion processing.

Note that the file name of an image data file 14-n representing aphotographed image is added only to the photograph list 16 of the albumlist file 15 when the camera 10 photographs in the above describedembodiment. Instead, the file name may be inserted to the head of thelist of file names for a certain album among the one in the album list17 of the album list file 15 so as to complete the registration ofphotographed image to the album and the setting of cover image at thetime of photographing.

Meanwhile, the album operation processing (refer to FIGS. 4 and 5), thecover image creation processing (refer to FIG. 7), the titlesuperimposing processing (refer to FIG. 9) and the album transmissionprocessing (refer to FIG. 11) are respectively done by the CPU 51comprised by the PC 40, however, the whole or a part of these processingmay be done by the CPU 30 comprised by the camera 10 so as to enable thecamera 10 to perform an addition or deletion of image to the album,superimposing title to the cover images and creation of album list file15 independently.

Also contrarily, the whole or a part of the album replay processing(refer to FIG. 13), album selection processing (refer to FIG. 16), albumindex display processing (refer to FIGS. 17A and 17B), albumregistration processing (refer to FIG. 18), object image determinationprocessing (refer to FIG. 19) and album image deletion processing (referto FIG. 22) done by the CPU 30 comprised by the camera 10 may be done bythe CPU 51 comprised by the PC 40 executing the control program so as toenable the PC 40 to perform a catalog display of the cover image of eachalbum (i.e., index display), a renewal of the album list 17, anadditional registration and automatic setting of cover image for eachalbum, a deletion of image from the album, and a superimposing of iconon the index display of cover images for notifying a change in theapplicable album independently, thereby embodying the present inventionby the PC 40. Furthermore, the present invention may be embodied by amobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), et cetera forinstance, in addition to the camera 10 and the PC 40, as an informationmanagement apparatus according to the present invention.

Meanwhile, the above described embodiment superimposes a graphic symbol(i.e., icon) on the applicable cover image in order to notify the userof a change made to the album, the notification, however, may be done bya character or sound, or through a change in form or color of theapplicable cover image.

In the meantime, the present invention is not limited by the abovedescribed embodiment, but rather is possible to improve or modify invarious ways within the scope of concept according to the presentinvention.

1. An information management apparatus defining a replay sequence of newimage data added to a group of images to which a plurality of image databelong, comprising: a storage unit for storing group informationrelating to a group to which a plurality of image data belongs inadvance and replay sequence information indicating a replay sequence atthe time of replaying a plurality of image data belonging to theaforementioned group; a designation unit for designating a group for newimage data which does not belong to the group; and an informationrenewal unit renewing the group information and the replay sequenceinformation about all image data belonging to the designated group whenthe designation unit designates a group to which a plurality of imagedata already belong as the group for new image data, and a notificationunit for notifying a renewed group when at least either said groupinformation or said replay sequence information is renewed by a changeor addition to the group, wherein the information renewal unit rewritesthe replay sequence information so as to replay the new image data firstout of the designated group when the designation unit designates a groupto which a plurality of image data already belong as a group for the newimage data belonging to, and said notification unit includes an indexdisplay part for displaying image data extracted singularly from saideach group by an index screen display as representative images ofrespective groups so as to show an icon superimposed on therepresentative image of said renewed group for meaning a predeterminedoperation having been done thereto in the index screen display.
 2. Theinformation management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein saidgroup information and said replay sequence information are stored bysaid storage unit as a management file containing the group informationand the replay sequence information.
 3. The information managementapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said information renewal unitrenews information also at the time of group information relating toimage data being deleted from said group.
 4. An information managementmethod defining a replay sequence of new image data added to a group ofimages to which a plurality of image data belong, comprising the stepsof having a memory memorize group information relating to a group whicha plurality of image data belongs to in advance and replay sequenceinformation for indicating a replay sequence of image data at the timeof replaying a plurality of image data belonging to the group; obtaininga designation of group for new image data which does not belong to thegroup; renewing the group information of the designated group and thesequence information about all image data belonging to the designatedgroup so as to replay the new image data first out of a designated groupwhen a group to which a plurality of image data already belong isdesignated as the group for the new image data by the designation, andnotifying the renewed group by displaying image data extractedsingularly from said each group by an index screen display asrepresentative images of respective groups when at least either saidgroup information or said replay sequence information is renewed, andshowing an icon superimposed on the representative image of said renewedgroup for meaning a predetermined operation having been done thereto inthe index screen display.
 5. A computer readable storage medium forstoring a program for making a computer perform an informationmanagement defining a replay sequence of new image data added to a groupof images to which a plurality of image data belong, wherein the programmakes the computer perform the processing of having a memory memorizegroup information relating to a group which a plurality of image databelongs to in advance and replay sequence information for indicating areplay sequence of image data at the time of replaying a plurality ofimage data belonging to the group; obtaining a designation of a groupfor new image data which does not belong to the group; renewing thegroup information of the designated group and the sequence informationabout all image data belonging to the designated group so as to replaythe new image data first out of a designated group when a group to whicha plurality of image data already belong is designated as the group fornew image data by the designation, and notifying the renewed group bydisplaying image data extracted singularly from said each group by anindex screen display as representative images of respective groups whenat least either said group information or said replay sequenceinformation is renewed, and showing an icon superimposed on therepresentative image of said renewed group for meaning a predeterminedoperation having been done thereto in the index screen display.